6.3: Chapter Six Review

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Test Your Knowledge

Research an existing site at which earthworks, crop marks, or soil marks were found. What was visible aerially? What was determined about the site through further investigation?
Why would an archaeologist strive to limit the use of probes such as augers and test pits?
Compare and contrast aerial and ground reconnaissance strategies. What are some benefits and pitfalls of each?
Describe how new technologies such as drones, GPS, and Google Earth are changing how archaeologists locate sites.
What are some potential benefits and drawbacks of the new technologies being applied to archaeology today?

Terms You Should Know

aerial reconnaissance A method of locating, recording, interpreting, and monitoring archaeological sites from above.

compliance In CRM, the process of ensuring that all legal requirements relating to archaeological resources are fulfilled.

crop marks Archaeological sites or features that are identified from the air by the differential growth in crops and vegetation.

curation Organizing and managing the long-term care of artifact collections.

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) A representation of the bare ground (bare earth) topographic surface of the Earth excluding trees, buildings, and other surface objects.

earthworks An embankment or construction made of earth that has been created as a result of human activity such as ditches, banks, stone walls, and burial mounds.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) A computer system that creates, manages, analyzes, and maps all types of data.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) A geophysical sensing device that uses radar pulses to create an image of subsurface features.

ground reconnaissance A method of locating, recording, interpreting, and monitoring archaeological sites through observing what is visible and accessible on the surface of the ground.

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)  A technology used to create high-resolution models of ground elevation with a vertical accuracy of 10 centimeters (4 inches).

reconnaissance The process of conducting a preliminary survey.

remote sensing Methods of reconnaissance that detect subsurface features and sites through the use of devices and technology.

research design The careful formulation of a systematic plan for the execution of archaeological research.

shovel test pits A subsurface survey technique involves digging to determine the density and distribution of archaeological remains at a site.

soil marks Differences in soil color visible in plowed fields resulting from the presence of an archaeological feature such as a former bank or ditch.

subsurface detection Survey techniques used to identify and locate subsurface features including non-intrusive remote sensing technology and techniques that involve minimal destruction to the site such as probing.

surface survey A technique of systematically discovering, gathering, and mapping archaeological data and artifacts found on the surface by methodically walking over the site.

A derivative work from

"Digging into Archaeology:A Brief OER Introduction to Archaeology with Activities" by Amanda Wolcott Paskey and AnnMarie Beasley Cisneros, Faculty (Anthropology) at Cosumnes River College & American River College, ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative (OERI), 2020, under CC BY-NC 4.0.